Applications For ISD 196 Equity Advisory Council Close Dec. 1

DAKOTA COUNTY, MN — Applications to be on Independent School District 196's Equity Advisory Council will close Dec. 1, the district said.

The open positions include three at-large community members, three parents/guardians and three high school student representatives, the district said.

Each of the terms will begin Dec. 16, 2021, the district said. The terms will end:

• June 30, 2023 for one at-large community member
• June 30, 2024 for two at-large community members
• June 30, 2024 for three parents/guardians
• June 30, 2023 or upon graduation, whichever is first for three high school representatives

Applicants should have an interest or experience in diversity, equity, inclusion and reducing the achievement gap, the district said.

The entire council is comprised of:

• 6 parents/guardians (preferably two each representing elementary, middle and high school);
• 4 at-large community members;
• 6 high school students (one from each school, if possible);
• 2 district directors (elementary and secondary education);
• 3 principals (one each representing elementary, middle and high school);
• 6 teachers (representing elementary, middle school, high school and special education);
• 1 American Indian Education Program representative
• 1 cultural family advocate staff member;
• 2 assistant administrators, and
• 1 Dakota County United Educators executive board member.

The council makes recommendations to the Superintendent's Cabinet on potential changes to ensure equity and "eliminate the predictability of student achievement based upon race, gender, special education status or eligibility for the educational benefits program (formerly known as the free and reduced-price meals program)," the district said.

Council members will be selected by the superintendent, director and coordinator of the Equity and Inclusion Department, and three School Board members, the district said.

Applications can be found here.

More information is available here.